The major organization for dental assistants, receptionists, and dental secretaries. Its aims are: To encourage the provision of facilities for practical and theoretical instruction for dental assistants in dental hospitals and colleges of further education, especially for those studying for the national certificate. Also, to improve and standardize the training of dental assistants.
ASSOCIATIONS, COURSES, AND EXAMINATIONS OF DENTAL SURGERY ASSISTANTS
The major organization for dental assistants, receptionists, and dental secretaries. Its aims are:
- To encourage the provision of facilities for practical and theoretical instruction for dental assistants in dental hospitals and colleges of further education, especially for those studying for the national certificate. Also, to improve and standardize the training of dental assistants.
- To assist the regular publication of articles of general interest to dental assistants and for study purposes, by means of its monthly journal. Also to form a library.
- To assist members in such matters as employment.
- To co-operate with the various organizations in dental profession in order to increase the standard of dental assisting.
- To organize meetings in all areas of the countries.
- To maintain a central headquarters to which all members may apply for advice and assistance
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| Source: jp-international-examinations |
Some of the association are:
- British Association of dental auxiliaries
- British dental hygienists association
- Royal Society of health (dental and allied group)
- Dental therapy registration board of Nigeria.
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN DENTAL SURGERY ASSISTANTS
The certificate is awarded by the examining board for dental surgery assistants, such as the ones above. In some countries, the examination is held twice in a year, while some are three times in a year.
There is a written paper, practical test, oral, and "spotter" test. The written part includes essays as well as a number of multiple choice type of questions.
Before entering the examination candidate would have gained experience and have successfully completed a full-time course of study approved by the examining board.
Courses for surgery assistants.
Many full and part-time courses are held in dental hospitals and technical colleges. The number of centers is continually increasing.
Full details may be obtained from examining board in your country.
Such as:
- DIPLOMA IN DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
- TRAINING OF OTHER AUXILIARIES PERSONNEL.
HINTS FOR EXAMINATION CANDIDATES
One need hardly say that you cannot expect to get through examinations without working hard. However, this does not mean concentrated cramming just before the examination. What is needed is steady application throughout the full period of preparation.
Textbooks alone are not sufficient for this type of subject. Theory must be backed up by continual practice of those techniques required for a chairside assistant.
Employers or the dentists can help by giving vivas and practical tests on all aspects of the work, including recognition of instruments.
Note taking is absolutely indispensable. Only those with good memories know how much they forget. Make notes of each book consulted, everything you are told at lectures, and each new thing that you come across in the surgery. The worst ink is better than the best memory.
A loose-leaf notebook is very suitable for this purpose. Thus, when you start final revision for the examination, all information will be readily on hand; even more important, it will be available for reference throughout your working life.
If possible try to attend at least a part-time course of lectures.
This will enable you to learn more about your chosen subject from the lecturers, to discuss this with other students on the course, and to learn what is happening in other practices.
Work through the test questions in this article below and obtain a set of recent examination papers.
- Without consulting your notes write brief answers to the questions.
- Then ask your employer or a dentist to go through them with you.
- Learn to answer only the actual question.
- Do not put the extraneous matter. You will gain few marks for this and may lose some
- Answers should be written clearly, concisely, and intelligently, and the writing must be legible.
- When answering questions never refer to the information given in a previous answer. Each must be complete itself.
Most important, before starting, carefully read any instructions given at the top of the paper. Care with all these points will pay in long run.
EXAMPLE OF TYPES OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
CREDIT SOURCES
British Association of dental auxiliaries
British dental hygienists association
Royal Society of health (dental and allied group)
Dental therapy registration board of Nigeria.
EXAMPLE OF TYPES OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
- State if the following statements are true or false:
- Oxygen cylinder is black
- Zinc oxide is a local anesthetic
- The heart beats 72 times a minute
- The pulmonary artery contains oxygenated blood.
- Plaster is an --------material
- Amalgam is a---------material
- Codeine is an---------
- Lignocaine is a---------
- Fluothane is to a general anesthetic as lignocaine is to a
- Full dentures are plaster as partials are to-
- Cribs are to orthodontic appliances as lingual bars are to-
- Pliers are to orthodontics as elevators are to-
- Post crowns to restore vital teeth
- Copper ring impressions for full dentures
- Gold inlays for fractured incisors
- Silver points for orthodontic therapy.
CREDIT SOURCES
COMMENTS